Free movement of citizens in one of the main principles of the European Union functioning as a goodwill and democratic organization of the European states.
This very principle plays an important role in Ukraine. The politicians use it to be liked more and often lie about it. The population, which is supposed to solve the main issues of its existence, eagerly listens to fantastic promises and for the umpteenth time sinks into disappointment.
I will try to explain the situation from the perspective of a Czech citizen and clarify how the visa-free regime issue is viewed in Central Europe.
First of all, it should be explained that before 1989 citizens of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and even the German Democratic Republic had no visa restrictions imposed by the West. This decision was made solely by the countries’ domestic communist governments, which were ordered by Moscow to build the infamous Iron Curtain. When communism collapsed and the yoke of the Soviet Union broke, the borders of Central European countries opened, and a hundred thousand enthusiastic people traveled to the West. The travels, just like many other things, were determined by international agreements based on agreements with the EU. Likewise, my country first signed the Association Agreement with the EU, and numerous economic agreements, and only then it became a candidate to join the EU. In 14 years, in 2004, it was accepted to the European Union.
Communism and Moscow’s yoke had to be overthrown in Central Europe for the European borders to open. The same should be done in Ukraine. Communism and its open and secret followers have had power here. We do not even need to talk about the Kremlin’s influence on the everyday life of Ukrainians.
Misinformation, the expression of uncritical nostalgia for life “back in the Soviet Union,” demagoguery and lies live on television, the support of laws which were long ago rejected by the civilized world, the revival of the “Little Russianism” in the behavior of citizens, false information about the state of Ukraine’s economy... All this and much more is a relapse of communism and the Kremlin’s attempt to continue ruling Ukraine. Until Ukrainians bring their home to order and start ruling on their own, relying on laws, traditions, and culture of the civilized countries, they cannot hope that other countries will accept them with arms outstretched. It means they will not agree to a visa-free regime with Ukraine. And frankly speaking, does it really surprise you?
About 200,000 Ukrainians live and work in the Czech Republic, I know a few of them. When we meet, I often ask them why they continue working and living in those inhuman conditions, and why do they not just come back to Ukraine. Their answers are so terrible that you will not believe them. Not if you have never been to Ukraine before. I know what kopankas (illegal self-made mines in Donbas) are, and what crumbling collective farm buildings in the Carpathians look like. I know of raider assaults on businesses and the bankruptcy of manufacturing business, gangsterism and crime in cities and villages, officials’ cynicism and corruption. I learned about the epidemic of tuberculosis, the inefficient healthcare system, and the total absence of prospects for the young. These problems wait to be solved, and neither the EU nor the visa-free regime can do anything there, only Ukrainians themselves can solve them.
From this perspective a question arises whether opening of borders is favorable for Ukraine. Until now, various advantages, like the special access regime within the 50-kilometer zone along the border, are used as letting the steam off and relaxing the local tension. Dissatisfied citizens will move to work abroad, and there is no need to change anything in Ukraine. There are “the lucky ones,” who get a foreign passport of a different country, for example, of Hungary, Romania, Poland, or Slovakia. They are lucky and will be able to go abroad any time they want, travel round the 28 countries of the European Union, use their social advantages, study and receive healthcare for free, and some will even be able to find a job. Does the Ukrainian community realize that these people violate the laws of Ukraine, since they received another citizenship, and also the laws of the European Union, because if they live there for more than 90 days, they must have residence and work permits?
Finding a job within their country and changing it for the better must be the most important goal for Ukrainians.
I often read and hear that the “fifth column” is the reason for Ukrainian problems. If state services performed their duties responsibly and according to the Constitution, there would be no such situation. For example, Slovakia has a law that says: if a Slovakian resident receives a different citizenship, he automatically loses Slovakian citizenship and becomes a foreigner. Thousands of Ukrainians who have passports of other countries, Russia in particular, would stop being the “fifth column,” and would become foreigners in Ukraine without a right to vote. Foreigners have their duties, and the main one is loyalty to the hosting country, which can be discussed in detail with following security measures applied.
Of course, you might ask how such changes could be achieved. Let us look at the Constitution which says that all the power in the country belongs to the Ukrainian people. Ukrainians will only introduce the necessary changes, and will only carry out the necessary reforms when they are well-organized. If the citizens have no faith in the ruling party, they must form a new one. They must choose new, untarnished politicians from their midst, create a clear political program, find successful entrepreneurs who will help finance the reforms and political struggle for the country’s Europeanization.
Be active! Found centers of the new political movement everywhere in villages, cities, at work, in schools, and universities. Organize a dialog between social and professional groups. Offer projects, write your MPs, gather signatures and demand a truthful answer and information. Control the transparency of the elections and do not let anyone intimidate you. Be active citizens and take the responsibility for the fate of your country.
I can imagine the squares of cities and towns filled with inspired, active people, capable of changing Ukraine for it to become successful and a truly European country.
Do not ask what the European Union will do for you, but ask what you can do to have Europe in Ukraine!
